GB2412578A

GB2412578A - Footwear hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2412578A
Application number: GB0407304A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ric Singleton
Original assignee: Mainetti UK Ltd
Current assignee: Mainetti UK Ltd
Priority date: 2004-03-31
Filing date: 2004-03-31
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-31
Also published as: GB0407304D0; GB2412578B

Abstract

A method of producing a footwear hanger 10 is described. The hanger is formed having a suspension device or hook 12 for suspending the hanger from a support or rail, two substantially C-shaped parts 14 extending from the suspension device and first and second arm portions 18 and 19 extending from each C-shaped part. During the production of the hanger the arm portions are formed substantially outside a volume defined by the C-shaped part whereas in use the arm portions are located substantially within that volume.

Description

24 1 2578 Footwear Hatcher The present invention relates to a footwear

hanger, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a footwear hanger formed from plastic materials and adapted to be used with a variety of different footwear types having different thicknesses of heel back.

The use of a footwear hanger, for displaying items of footwear, such as shoes and the like, in retai] establishments prior to purchase, is well known. An example of such a hanger is disclosed in our patent GB2355181. This form of footwear hanger serves its particular function but it is not universally applicable for all different forms of footwear which have significantly different thicknesses at the back of the shoe adjacent the heel. In particular, in the hangers of the prior art the minimum gap between the gripping surfaces of the hanger could only be reduced to around 1 mm as a result of minimal wall width that could be formed within a mould in which the hanger is formed. As a result when such a hanger is designed for use with thin backed footwear, a sufficiently strong force could not be applied between the gripping surfaces.

It is therefore necessary to produce a number of different footwear hangers to accommodate different back thicknesses in an attempt to provide sufficient gripping force to retain the footwear item in position and yet not cause damage to the back of the shoe. Since footwear hangers of the prior art are not universally applicable and may be inclined to cause damage to an item of footwear, they are not as popular with footwear manufacturers and retailers as they might otherwise be. In particular, manufacturers and distributors are disinclined to transport footwear hung on such hangers since excessive movement of the footwear items will increase the likelihood of damage before the item arrives at the retailer.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek

overcome disadvantages with the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of producing a footwear hanger, the method comprising the steps of: forming at least one suspension device for suspending the 1-anger from a support; forming at least one substantially C-shaped part; and forming at least one respective first arm portion extending from at least one said substantially C-shaped part, wherein in production at least one said arm portion is formed substantially outside a volume defined by said substantially C-shaped part and in use said arm portion is located substantially within said volume.

By forming a footwear hanger in which the arm portion of the hanger is formed outside of the C-shaped part and yet in use is used within the Cshaped part, a spring mechanism, resulting from the resilience of the material in which the hanger is formed, will result. This spring action allows a controlled gripping force to be applied between the gripping surfaces of the hanger and thus the likelihood of damage to the back of the footwear is reduced. Furthermore, because the arm portion is formed outside of the C-shaped part there is no longer a need to produce a would with very thin walls which were required in the prior art between the gripping surfaces.

This therefore reduces the difficulty in producing the would used to form the hanger and reduces the number of rejected hangers formed. Furthermore, by moulding the arm portion outside the volume defined by the C-shaped part of the hanger, the advantage is provided that sufficient space can be provided around tone arm portion to add a further step of moulding a protective material, such as rubber, around this area. This was not previously possible in the prior art since the previously mentioned gap between the gripping surfaces was not sufficient to include the additional tooling necessary to would a second material around the first material which had been formed. The inclusion of this rubber further protects the item of footwear from damage making the footwear hanger significantly more desirable to manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

The method may also comprise forming on at least one arm portion having a respective first surface capable of engaging a respective second surface on said substantially C-shaped part, wherein said first and second surfaces are in engagement when the hanger is in a working condition ready to receive an item of footwear.

The method may further comprise forming at least one said first arm portion extending from at least one said substantially C-shaped part adjacent a respective first end of said substantially C-shaped part and forming said second surface adjacent a respective second end of at least one said substantially C-shaped part.

Furthermore, the method may comprise forming at least one second arm portion extending from at least one said first arm portion and having a respective third surface in use engaging a respective fourth surface on at least one said substantially C-shaped part.

By providing a second arm portion extending from one end of the first arm portion, it is possible to provide a further gripping force between the gripping surfaces. This in particular means that the arm portion has a biasing force acting on it and pushing it towards the second surface on the C-shaped part acting from both ends. As a result, a more even and stabilized biasing force acts on the first arm portion which is balanced along the length of the back. of the footwear.

The method may also comprise forming at least one said fourth surface adjacent a respective said first enc' of said substantially C-shaped part.

The method may further comprise forming at least one first coating on at least one said first surface of at least one said arm portion.

Furthermore, the method may comprise at least one second coating on at least one said second surface of at least one said substantially C-shaped part.

By providing a coating on the arm portion and/or on the second surface of the C-shaped part, the advantage is provided that the coated surfaces are less likely to cause damage to the footwear when hung on the hanger.

The method may also comprise forming at least one said first and/or second coatings from at least one rubber material.

The method may further comprise forming at least one stop on at]east one of said first and/or second surfaces.

By providing a stop at either end of the surface coating, the advantage is provided that the coating is]ess likely to become detached from the respective surfaces.

The method may also comprise forming at least one said suspension device so that it is connected to at least one said substantially C-shaped part adjacent a respective said first end.

The method may further comprise forming at least one retaining portion for retaining at least one said second arm portion in engagement with a respective said fourth surface.

By providing a retaining portion on the C-shaped part, the advantage is provided that in use the second arm portion can be retained constantly in position against the C-shaped part and therefore the first arm portion is stabilised in its position relative to the other side of the C-shaped part.

The method may also comprise forming a pair of said substantially Cshaped parts such that when in use said substantially C-shaped parts define substantially vertical planes which are not parallel to one another.

The method may further comprise forming said hanger such that said planes are arranged at 90 or 180 to one another.

A hanger of the type described above has the advantage that the location of the footwear can be altered on the hanger so as to allow the footwear to be angled displaying different parts of the item facing forward. This allows the retailer or manufacturer to display interesting parts of the footwear at the same time.

The method may also comprise at least partially forming the hanger by moulding.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming a footwear hanger according to the method defined above.

In a preferred embodiment the apparatus comprises at least one would.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a footwear hanger formed according to the method defined above.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a hanger of the present invention in the condition in which it is formed) Figure 2 is a plan view of the hanger of Figure 1 partially manipulated into a working condition; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the hanger of Figure 1 in a working condition; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hanger of Figure from the rears Figure 5 is a perspective view of the hanger of Figure 3 including rubber coating portions; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the hanger of Figure 4 including rubber coating portions; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the hanger of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a side view of the hanger of Figures 5 and 6 in used Figure 9 is a side view of the hanger of Figure 1 in use showing an item of footwear in partial sectional view; and Figures 10 - 13 are embodiments of the present invention in use showing items of footwear in different orientations.

Referring to Figures 1 - 6, a footwear hanger 10 has a suspension device or hook 12 for hanging the hanger from a support such as a rail (not shown). The hanger 10 also has a substantially C-shaped part 14 which has connected to it at a first end 16, a first arm portion 18. A second arm portion 19 extends from the first arm portion 18.

Directly below the hook 12 there is provided a label area 20 which is in turn joined to a connecting portion 22 which also joins the two C-shaped parts 14. The label area 20 and connecting portion 22 are joined by a hinge 24 and connecting portion 22 is joined to C-shaped parts 14 by hinges 26. Hook 12 and C-shaped parts 14 are formed having a substantially C- shaped cross-section and are provided with respective strengthening ribs 28 and 30.

The arm portions 18 may optionally be provided with rubber coatings 32 (as shown in Figures 5 and 6). Where such coatings 32 are provided stops 34 should also be provided to prevent fraying of the covering from the arm portion 18.

These stops are shown in Figures 1 - 4 which show the hanger before coatings 32 have been applied.

Referring to Figure 7, an optional retaining portion 36 may be provided on one or both sides of the C-shaped part 14 to hold the second arm portion 19 in position in use Hanger 10 is formed, typically by moulding, in an orientation shown in Figure 1. The hook 12, C-shaped part 14, first and second arm portions 18 and 19, the label area 20 and connecting portion 22 are all formed in substantially the same plane. The first and second arm portions 18 and 19 are formed outside of a volume which is defined by the C-shaped part as shown in Figure 1.

In use, the hanger 10 is manipulated into the orientation shown in Figures 3 - 6. Firstly, referring to Figure 2, the first and second arm portions 18 and 19 are moved to within the volume defined by the C-shaped part 14. A portion of the first arm portion 18 may remain outside the volume defined by the C-shaped part. However, it is clear to the skilled person that the majority of the first arm portion 18 and all of the second arm portion 19 remain that volume.

The first and second arm portions and located such that the first surface 38 on arm portion 18 engages the second surface on C-shaped part 14 which is towards a second end of C- shaped part 14 indicated at 42. At the same time, the third surface 44 of second arm portion 19 engages the fourth surface 46 on C-shaped part 14. Fourth surface 46 is adjacent the first end 16 of C-shaped part 14 and in particular is adjacent hinge 26.

In order to obtain the orientation shown in Figures 3 - 6, the first hinge 24, between label area 20 and connecting portion 22 is bent through 90 and the second hinges 26, joining the connecting portion 22 with C-shaped parts 14 are similarly bent through 90 . The orientation shown in Figures 3 - 6 is maintained by the weight of the footwear.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, in use an item of footwear 48 is loaded onto a hanger 10, in direction D, such that the first surface 38 engages the outside of the back portion 50 of the heel portion of shoe 48 and the second surface 40 engages the inside of the back portion 50 of the heel of shoe 48.

C-shaped portion 14 is substantially rigid and able to support the weight of shoe 48. The first arm portion 18 flexes at its connection 52 with Cshaped part 14. Second arm portion 19 is able to flex relative to first arm portion 18 at the connection 54 between the arm portions 18 and 19 and due to its own ability to flex resulting from the thinness of material used. These flexions are able to apply a gripping force in direction G between the first arm portion 18 and C-shaped part 14.

Referring to Figure 10, an embodiment of the present invention is shown in which the hanger 10 is formed where, in use, the C-shaped parts 14 are arranged on connection portion 22 such that the items of footwear 48 are both orientated in the same direction.

In Figure 11, an alternative embodiment is shown in which the orientation of C-shaped part 14 has been rotated through 180 so that in use the upper surface of one shoe 48 and sole of the other shoe are both shown.

In Figure 12, the orientation of one of the C-shaped parts 14 has been rotated through 90 so that the upper surface of one shoe is displayed along with a side view of the other shoe.

Finally, in Figure 13 the C-shaped portions 14 are arranged such that the sole of one shoe 48 and side of the other shoe are displayed.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the C-shaped part 14 could be joined to the connecting portion 22 adjacent the second end 42 such that the weight of the shoe is borne on the first arm portion 18 rather than the C-shaped part 14, and the gripping force lifts the shoe into engagement with C-shaped part 14. It would also be apparent to the skilled person that, although described as the substantially C-shaped part, it is not essential that the shape of this part be strictly limited to shapes only resembling the letter C. Indeed this part may be oriented in a variety of directions and may also resemble of letters whilst still performing the function of supporting the the item of footwear relative to the remainder of the hanger.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of producing a footwear hanger, the method comprising

the steps of: forming at least one suspension device for suspending the hanger from a support) forming at least one substantially C-shaped part; and forming at least one respective first arm portion extending from at least one said substantially C-shaped part, wherein in production at least one said arm portion is formed substantially outside a volume defined by said substantially C-shaped part and in use said arm portion is located substantially within said volume.
2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising forming on at least one arm portion having a respective first surface capable of engaging a respective second surface on said substantially C-shaped part, wherein said first and second surfaces are in engagement when the hanger is in a working condition ready to receive an item of footwear.
3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising forming at least one said first arm portion extending from at least one said substantially Cshaped part adjacent a respective first end of said substantially Cshaped part and forming said second surface adjacent a respective second end of at least one said substantially C-shaped part.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forming at least one second arm portion extending from at least one said first arm portion and having a respective third surface in use engaging a respective fourth surface on at least one said substantially C-shaped part.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forming at least one said fourth surface adjacent a respective said first end of said substantially C-shaped part.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forming at least one first coating on at least one said first surface of at least one said arm portion.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forming at least one second coating on at least one said second surface of at least one said substantially C-shaped part.
8. A method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising forming at least one said first and/or second coatings from at least one rubber material.
9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising forming at least one stop on at least one of said first and/or second surfaces.
10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forming at least one said suspension device so that it is connected to at least one said substantially C-shaped part adjacent a respective said first end.
11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forming at least one retaining portion for retaining at least one said second arm portion in engagement with a respective said fourth surface.
12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forming a pair of said substantially C- shaped parts such that when in use said substantially C-shaped parts define substantially vertical planes which are not parallel to one another.
13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising forming said hanger such that said planes are arranged at 90 or 180 to one another
14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least partially forming the hanger by moulding.
15. A method of forming a footwear hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. An apparatus for forming a footwear hanger according to the method of any of the preceding claims.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, comprising at least one would.
18. A footwear hanger formed according to the method of any of claim 1 to 15.
19. A footwear hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.